Wide Range Radiation Monitor

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to radiation monitors and more particularly, to measuring instruments suitable for monitoring radiation of electric fields within a frequency range extending to the vicinity of 100 GHz.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The essential components of instruments capable of monitoring radiation over a range of frequencies, are the electrical field sensitive elements. Their characteristics, structure, and interconnection are selected to achieve a sensitivity to the field that is relatively flat over the frequency ranges of interest. Thermocouples and semiconductor diodes are common sensing elements. It has been recognized that each type of element, while having inherent advantages and limitations, also exhibits frequency limitations. Thus for example, diode sensors have been shown to operate most effectively at lower frequencies, e.g. below 1.5 GHz, while thermocouple sensors operate most effectively at higher frequencies, e.g. above 300 MHz.

The characteristics of various sensors also have shown that diodes are most effective when applied in conjunction with the high reactance of electrically short dipole antennas. In contrast, the best sensitivity of thermocouple elements is achieved when low resistivity materials are employed in a thin-film configuration in conjunction with low reactance dipoles. There are other recognized characteristics which lead to corresponding limitations. At higher frequencies the reactance of diode sensors may be dominated by shunt capacitance effects which severely limit their high frequency response. At the other extreme, thermocouple sensors are limited in their application to the low frequency region due to difficulties in developing thermocouples of sufficiently high film resistivity to operate in conjunction with the higher reactance dipoles and with sufficient sensitivity to provide adequate signal levels.

One form of effective field measuring equipment is shown in the inventor's U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,641,439 and 3,794,914, issued on Feb. 9, 1972 and Feb. 26, 1974, respectively. These patents disclose a near-field radiation monitor utilizing thin-film thermocouples positioned in quadrature to measure relatively high frequency electric fields.

As further described in the inventor's article Broad-Band Isotropic Electromagnetic Radiation Monitor, published in the November 1972 I.E.E.E. Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, one may utilize sensors of the general type described mounted along three mutually orthogonal axes in order to achieve isotropic performance. On the other hand, to date, no suitable equipment is known to be available that is capable of operating over the broad frequency range contemplated herein.

The present invention uses thin-film thermocouple sensors and diode sensors mounted on a single probe for monitoring an ultra-broadband of frequencies. Within the lower frequency range, the diode sensors furnish the monitoring capability. Within the upper frequency range, thin-film thermocouple sensors furnish the monitoring capability. The various sensors are mounted within a single housing, yet they are maintained essentially independent in order to prevent interaction. The outputs of the sensors are summed to provide a true indication of power density over the complete wide range of frequency being monitored.

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable ultra-broadband radiation detector.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable radiation detector having an isotropic response.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a portable radiation detector having pre-established sensitivity to impinging radiation throughout both low and high frequency regions.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a portable radiation detector utilizing both diode and thin-film sensing elements.

From one aspect, the invention resides in a unique diode sensor adapted for responding with pre-established sensitivity over a range of relatively low frequencies. From another aspect, the invention resides in the utilization of separate sensors of diverse type, for responding over a broad range of frequencies, which exceeds the operating capabilities of either type of sensor, if used alone.

In the first embodiment, the energy sensing means includes a diode connected to a dipole antenna having both conductive and resistive portions. Lumped impedances are connected in parallel with the diode and the values of these impedances are selected in coordination with the characteristics of the diode and antenna to control the sensitivity of the sensing means as a function of the frequency of the illuminating energy.

In the second embodiment, the aforedescribed diode sensing means is arranged along a common axis with one or more thermocouple dipoles, though separated therefrom. In this embodiment, the thermocouple component or components form a sensing means designed to respond with constant sensitivity to illuminating energy over the higher substantially adjacent frequency range which exceeds the controllable response of the diode sensing means.

The invention will be more thoroughly understood and appreciated from the following description which is made in conjunction with the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of a probe embodying the invention and demonstrating the preferred orientation of the sensor elements used therein;

FIG. 2 is a graph plotting relative sensitivity as a function of frequency, of a probe embodying the features of the invention, the frequency scale being logarithmically presented;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic illustration of a set of sensor elements, aligned and arranged in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B are schematic representations of diode sensing elements in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are lumped equivalent circuits of the diode sensing element of the invention over various impinging frequencies;

FIG. 10 illustrates a thermocouple sensing element having distributed thermocouple film elements and the geometry thereof;

FIG. 11 is the lumped equivalent circuit of a probe with single thermocouple elements relative to a total probe; and

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an instrument embodying the features of the invention.

The probe 10 shown in FIG. 1, serves to mount the sensors of the invention and also modifies the signals generated therein for transmission over a line 17 to a metering instrument. This is explained in greater detail later in the specification. In essence, three sets of sensing elements 11a, 11b, and 11c are supported at one end of probe 10 along mutually orthogonal axes.

By proper selection of sensor elements, a particular probe provides the sensitivity response characteristics shown graphically in FIG. 2. Proper handling of the signals generated with this sensitivity, affords a variety of monitoring opportunities. It will be recalled that the low frequency sensitivity of the monitor described herein is determined by diode sensors while the high frequency sensitivity is determined by thermocouple sensors. In FIG. 2, the low frequency region is shown to extend generally from 0 through 1.5 GHz and the high frequency region extends generally from 1.5 GHz to 40 GHz and beyond.

Before considering in greater detail the specific characteristics of the various sensing elements, a visual appreciation of the elements and their interrelationship will be available from FIG. 3. This figure shows an array of series-connected thermocouple dipoles 18, making up the high frequency sensors, axially aligned with a dipole antenna 19, which serves as the input source for the low frequency diode sensor. Three such sets of sensing elements provide a complete unit for isotropic response of an ultra-broadband of frequencies.

By utilizing separate sensing elements for different portions of a broad frequency range, one is able to select the sensing element characteristics best suited to either the portion of the range of interest, or best suited to the measurement of interest within that portion of the range. In addition, one is able to trim each sensing element to match the type of response desired within each portion of the broad range. It might be the designer's intent to produce constant sensor sensitivity, or response, across the entire range. It is also possible to tailor the response to predetermined criteria, as illustrated with the embodiment disclosed herein.

The low frequency diode sensor element is illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, and the lumped equivalent circuit for such a sensor is shown in FIG. 5. The equivalent inductive and capacitive reactance of the dipole segments is illustrated separately as L.sub.a1, L.sub.a2 and C.sub.a1, C.sub.a2, respectively. When considering the combined effect of such reactances, reference will be made to L.sub.a and C.sub.a, respectively. Similarly, the voltage induced in the dipole responsive to illuminating energy is illustrated by separate sources, e. The equivalent resistance of the dipole is illustrated as R.sub.a.

In one specific embodiment of the invention, beam lead Schotky diodes were used to minimize connecting loops that might couple to the field and introduce erroneous signals. In addition, the size of the resistive and capacitive components was minimized by use of chip components. Typical values of the components shown in conjunction with the diode sensing element were (with a total dipole length of 3.75 inches):

C.sub.1 =12 pfds.

C.sub.2 =200 pfds.

C.sub.a1 =0.1 pfds.

C.sub.a2 =0.2 pfds.

R.sub.2 =330 ohms

R.sub.a =800 ohms

L.sub.a1 +L.sub.a2 =0.036 mh

In the frequency range from 30 to 300 MHz, the equivalent circuit simplifies to that shown in FIG. 8 wherein the dipole resistance R.sub.a and dipole inductive reactance of L.sub.a are negligible compared to the dipole capacitive reactance of C.sub.a. Within this range, reactance of C.sub.2 is selected to be very low, and resistance R.sub.2 is selected to be extremely high relative to the reactance of shunting capacitor C.sub.1. The dipole capacitance C.sub.a and the shunting capacitance C.sub.1 act as a capacitive voltage divider having a uniform output with frequency over this range, the capacitance C.sub.L having been shunted across the diode D to obtain the desired sensitivity.

Descending in frequency and commencing at 30 MHz, the shape of the response is principally controlled by the resistance R.sub.2 in conjunction with the reactance of shunting capacitor C.sub.1, and the dipole capacitance C.sub.a. The equivalent circuit then reduces to the one shown in FIG. 7. The radio frequency voltage across the diode D varies at a 6 db per octave rate as the frequency decreases to 3 MHz. The diode DC output, having a square law characteristic, provides an output proportional to the square of the radio frequency voltage across the diode. The diode output sensitivity therefore decreases as the square of frequency, f.sup.2.

Descending still further in frequency, at approximately 3 MHz the reactance C.sub.2 increases to the magnitude where it exceeds the resistance R.sub.2 and the equivalent circuit reduces to approximate the schematic of FIG. 6. Hence, the circuit again performs as a capacitive divider having a constant sensitivity with frequencies below 3 MHz.

Within the frequency range above 300 MHz and to 1.5 GHz, the dipole characteristics are selectively modified to achieve controlled roll-off. The dipole is constructed of conductive and resistive portions, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. The conductive portion connects a resistive film portion to the terminals of the diode. The extent and location of the resistive film portion of the dipole is selected to achieve the desired characteristics. When the frequency increases above 300 MHz, the resistance of this film predominates over the reactance of that portion of the antenna. If the entire dipole had been constructed of resistance material, the sensitivity would decrease at a 6 db per octave rate, or 1/f.sup.2. To approximate the desired 1/f, 3 db per octave rate, a portion only of the dipole is made resistive, the resistivity in the present case being chosen to start roll-off at 300 MHz. That portion of the conductive dipole contributes a signal to the diode that is constant over the frequency range thereby achieving the desired reduction in sensitivity to approximate 1/f. The diode operates in its square law region and the induced voltages are made approximately equal for both conductive and resistive portions.

In the low to high frequency transition 300 MHz to 1.5 GHz range, the equivalent circuit of FIG. 5 reduces to that of FIG. 9, where the resistance R.sub.2 is much greater than the shunting reactance of C.sub.1 and the dipole reactance L.sub.a is negligible.

Under these circumstances the diode output voltage V.sub.d becomes: ##EQU1##

The response of the diode sensor thus decreases as the frequency increases, but the addition of the output from the higher frequency sensor elements as described hereafter, will produce additional correction. This technique can be modified further by using discrete resistances strategically placed along the dipole length. FIG. 4B illustrates this structure with a single resistive pad R.sub.P on each leg of the dipole.

The resistivity of the dipole and the concomitant decreasing sensitivity, prevents affecting the response in the high frequency region as the dipole approaches resonance. The values of capacitance and inductance for the sections of the dipole can be calculated from the average characteristic impedance for each portion of the dipole. The equation for characteristic impedance Z.sub.0 is: ##EQU2## where H.sub.1 and H.sub.2 define the limits of each portion of the dipole, and a is the effective radius of the dipole. The equation can then be integrated over the portion of the antenna in question.

Using the expression of L.sub.a and C.sub.a :

The thermocouple sensing elements used for the high frequency region, are described and explained structurally in the inventor's aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,641,439 and in his I.E.E.E. article. The probe may consist of three mutually perpendicular broadband probe elements as illustrated in FIG. 1. Broadband characteristics are obtained by distributing resistive thermocouple dipoles along the length of the high frequency sensing element at spacings that will permit no resonant length over the range of frequencies within which the probe is intended to operate. The spacing is less than one-quarter wavelength of the highest frequency to be measured. In effect, the high frequency sensing element may be viewed as a group of series-connected small resistive dipoles or as a very low Q resonant circuit.

Each thermocouple dipole element and/or connected set provides a DC output signal that is proportional to the square of the electric field strength tangential to the element. The elements are preferably thin-film thermocouples that provide true square-law outputs. The DC signal is proportional to the power dissipated in the thermocouple elements and indicates the average energy density in the volume in which the elements are contained. The summation of the DC signals from the three orthogonal sensing elements provides a measure of the total energy or power density, independent of direction or polarization of the RF signals.

A lumped equivalent schematic representation of a thermocouple sensing element is shown in FIG. 11. L.sub.3 and C.sub.3 are the lumped equivalent inductance and capacitance of the element determined from the average characteristic impedance Z.sub.0.

f.sub.0 is the resonant frequency of a dipole of the same length as the element. R.sub.3 equals the total resistance of the probe element less R.sub.4. C.sub.4 is the shunt capacitance across a small dipole and can be determined from the geometry of FIG. 10 as ##EQU3## The DC output of the small thermocouple dipole is proportional to the power dissipated in it.

The resistive dipoles are composed of thin films of overlapping dissimilar resistive films 30, 31, deposited upon a thin plastic substrate. The geometry creates alternate cold and hot junctions. As shown in FIG. 10, the hot junctions are formed at the center 32 of the narrow strips having relatively high resistance thereby allowing for the dissipation of energy and the resultant increases in temperature. The wider sections 33, 34 have a low resistance and thus function as cold junctions, the low resistance allowing little energy to be dissipated within these sections. In addition, the broad area distributes the energy and conducts heat rapidly into the substrate so that very little temperature rise occurs. The resultant DC output voltage is directly proportional to the energy dissipated in the resistive portion of the thermocouple.

The spacing "D" between the cold junctions is a small fraction of a millimeter. The close spacing minimizes zero drift due to ambient temperature, since only a very small temperature gradient can occur due to the variation in ambient temperature. Variation in the ambient temperature will cause variation in sensitivity that is less than 0.05 percent/.degree.C., which will not degrade the basic accuracy of the instrument even over wide temperature ranges. The leads that carry DC outputs from the probe elements to the metering instrumentation are high-resistance films and present a high resistance near the probe elements resulting in low current to minimize any interaction of the DC leads and the probe elements.

The total effect of the structure described is to approximate the condition of the high frequency sensing elements being suspended in space because the leads are transparent to the RF fields. The extremely light coupling into the field, results in very little perturbation of the RF field being measured due to scattering phenomena. A break point of the frequency sensitivity curve is provided at 1.5 GHz at the low frequency end and above 40 GHz at the high frequency end. This yields extremely flat frequency response from 1.5 GHz, while below 1.5 GHz the response decreases at a 6 db/octave rate.

To minimize cross coupling between the resistive high frequency thermocouple dipole and the low frequency diode connected dipole, each element pair is placed on the same axis, with some spacing between the adjacent ends. FIG. 3 shows the spacial relationship.

With an appreciation of the structure and arrangement of the low and high frequency sensor elements of the invention, it will be understood that monitoring instrumentation of various forms can be adapted to cooperate with a properly designed probe. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of one such form of instrumentation.

DC signals from a housing 11 containing suitably mounted high frequency thermocouples and low frequency diode elements, are delivered to a pre-amplifier in the handle of the probe 10, over a high resistivity transmission line 12. A first two-wire DC transmission line 13 is used for the three high frequency elements which are connected in series, as previously explained. A second two-wire DC transmission line 14 is used for the three diode elements which are connected in parallel, as also previously explained. The leads are held rigidly in place to prevent cable modulation. A high resistivity film is advantageously applied over the probe to provide shielding from static charges. The pre-amplifiers utilize balanced instrumentation amplifiers and the resistive transmission line leads are matched to further reduce common mode and static charge induced signals.

The pre-amplifier contains two sections. One section 15 conditions the diode signal and provides temperature compensation and such linearity correction as may be required at the upper extreme of the operating power density range. A gain setting control may be provided for calibration. The conditioning amplifiers 16 for the high frequency thin-film thermocouple sensors need provide for calibration only, inasmuch as temperature compensation and linearity correction are not necessary. The signals from the pre-amplifiers are transmitted over a conductive cable 17 to a suitable metering instrument.

Within the metering instrument shown in FIG. 12, the two signals from the probe are first combined in a summing amplifier 20. The resultant signal is further processed by a maximum hold amplifier 21. The output of this latter circuit feeds an amplifier 22 which in turn drives a D'Arsonval meter movement 24.

A particular ultra-broadband radiation monitor has been described. It is recognized that modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All modifications coming within the teachings of this disclosure are intended to be covered by the following claims.